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A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 282/340

A History of Columbia County, Florida

end to racial strife in the county. Yet the degree of accomodation
seen in the integration of the schools demonstrated that the day
was passing when the blacks would live so wholly separate in
status from the white community.
Of considerable interest to present-day Columbia countians
was the establishment of Ichetucknee Springs State Park. Iche-
tucknee Springs long had played a role in the life of the county.
From the historical standpoint it was the site of the Spanish
mission of Santa Catalina. Throughout the twentieth century it
was a favorite picnic spot for county residents who traveled to area
by train and later by automobile.
In the early 1940’s interest developed in the acquisition of the
area as a state park. State officials regarded the area as suitable,
but funds were not available to make the necessary land pur­
chases. Interest in the area was revived in the early 1960’s when
citizens from Columbia County and adjacent Suwannee County
showed a growing concern for the future of the Ichetucknee River
Valley. In response two boards were created to study the matter
with the view of preserving the river and the valley while having it
serve the public for recreational purposes. The Columbia County
Park and Recreation Board was chaired by Herb Attaway of Lake
City and included W. E. Bishop of Lake City and E. F. Floyd of
Fort White. The Suwannee County Recreation Board was chaired
by W. S. Ware of Branford, and included G. B. McLean, Jr. and
John Hampton of Live Oak. In a resolution adopted on September
11, 1963, the boards stressed the recreational potential of Iche­
tucknee Springs and urged that the Florida Outdoor Recreational
Development Council purchase or lease all available land of the
Ichetucknee River area.20
State support was questionable. It was anticipated that money

““Resolution on Acquisition of Ichetucknee River Valley,” “Herb Attaway File,”
Ichetucknee Springs Folder, Columbia County Historical Society Collection.

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